Evanston’s 1 shot sinks Mundelein
Still searching for its first win of the season, Mundelein’s girls soccer team came up short again on Thursday night.
The Mustangs gave up just one shot, but it was a goal in a 1-0 loss to host Evanston in nonconference play.
“Obviously, it was a tough loss,” Mundelein coach Ernie Billittier said. “It was one shot on goal, and a dead ball. It’s hard to come out on the wrong end with the efforts of our girls.”
Mundelein (0-3) lost to Crystal Lake Central 2-1 last Saturday and allowed 2 shots in that one.
The Mustangs dominated Evanston in terms of shots on goal, finishing with a 10-1 advantage over the Wildkits (2-2).
“We definitely controlled the game,” Billittier said. “We just have to do a better job in the final third, because we missed four (shots) that could’ve easily put the game away. It was a tough one to take with the way the girls played.”
Mundelein’s Kelsey Hiegel had a scoring chance with a head flick off a corner kicker that seemed headed for the inside of the post in the 54th minute. But Evanston’s Olivia Bates, stationed on the post, cleared the ball off the goal line.
The Wildkits received a free kick a minute later, up top and outside the box. Jackie Donohue fired a kick under the crossbar for the lone goal.
“There were definitely times where things were scary with (Mundelein),” Evanston coach Tasha Nemo said. “It looked like we were going to get scored on, but we persevered.”
Another great scoring chance came when Mundelein’s Hailey Talbot sent a kick toward a top corner in the 72nd minute. This time, Wildkits keeper Olivia Post (10 saves) pushed it away.
“It was just unlucky and the keeper (Post) had a great save,” Talbot said. “It was a perfect shot.
“I thought we should’ve had that game. We just have to keep working hard and get after it in our next game.”
Mundelein will be headed to South Carolina for spring break next week. The Mustangs will get several days of practice and play matches against Carolina Forest and North Myrtle Beach high schools on Wednesday and Friday.